‘It’s Okay To Not Be Okay’
Highland Park High junior spreads hope with unique, on-trend bracelets
Noemi Tsai felt isolated when she was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder and depression. Now, she’s determined to make sure other teens know that they’re not alone.
“So often, people are told to keep it to themselves,” she said. “At first, it was hard for me to share too with other people.”
Tsai, a 17-year-old junior who lives in University Park, has been in and out of treatment for mental health issues for the past three years. At her lowest points, she attempted suicide multiple times.
She credits the support of her family and friends, along with therapy, and a stay in the residential program at the McLean Hospital in Massachusetts, for her recovery.
Tsai hopes that sharing her experiences will help others find connections and support. She’s raising awareness of mental health with her Girl Scout Gold Award project and the on-trend bracelets she sells through her project, Beading Hope.
Beading, Tsai explained, became a way for her to find peace during her journey through treatment. Her bestselling bracelets feature words of encouragement, such as “hope,” “shine,” or “warrior.” Each comes with a card containing a positive affirmation.
Tsai’s newest bracelet features small, teal glass beads and a ribbon for OCD awareness. A portion of every bracelet purchase is donated to the International OCD Foundation, which Tsai turned to for resources and community after her diagnosis four years ago.
Some of the remaining funds help finance Tsai’s Girl Scout Gold Award project. As part of the project, Tsai co-chaired the 2023 Dallas One Million Steps for OCD Walk. She also is planning a book display in April at the University Park Public Library, giving bracelet-making kits to Girl Scout troops, and distributing free teal and purple wristbands for OCD and depression awareness.
“Your story isn’t over yet” is written on one side of the bracelets. Hidden inside the bracelets is the phrase, “It’s okay to not be okay.”
“It’s been a good reminder for me that I have future. There’s hope for things to get better. This isn’t the end to my story,” Tsai explained.
Tsai, who is on leave from Highland Park High School for an unrelated medical issue, has spoken about her experiences with young people struggling with OCD and medical professionals. She will be a speaker at the International OCD Foundation’s Conference in Chicago this summer.
In February, she shared her story at a meeting at the Highland Park ISD board of trustees, which rarely has public comments from students. She told board members that she once drew a picture on a quiz that showed how hopeless she was feeling.
“Crying, I handed it to my teacher,” Tsai said. “But unfortunately, no one noticed or followed up with me and asked how they might help.”
Tsai suggested ways the district could improve its mental health supports for students. She said after the meeting that she hopes things can change.
“If there are more supports for students, and more of a sense that I can reach out for help, it would help people feel less alone,” she said, “and not have to go through the experiences that I’ve gone through.”
